Freestyle Board Sports Device

ABSTRACT

A freestyle board sports device is described. More specifically, a rotatable footplate system for attachment to a freestyle board sports device, such as a skateboard with wheels, is described. The rotatable footplate system comprises a footplate assembly that is attached to the wheels of the skateboard and freely rotates in both a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction from a neutral position with respect to a vertical axis of the skateboard when a turning force is applied to the footplate assembly and/or wheels. An alignment mechanism automatically returns the footplate assembly and wheels back to the neutral position via a shortest path when no turning force is applied. A locking mechanism either allows or prevents the footplate assembly from rotating.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a freestyle board sports device, and moreparticularly to a device similar to a skateboard.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently, freestyle board- or deck-type sporting devices generallyinclude devices such as skateboards and scooters as well as their wateranalogues such as surfboards, wakeboards, etc. A variety of shapes andsizes of these devices are manufactured to provide different experiencesto the freestyle enthusiast. For example, different devices may havedifferent steering, balancing and/or attachment systems to provide theuser with different experiences.

Conventional freestyle skateboards typically comprise three maincomponents: a deck, two trucks and two sets of wheels. The deck isgenerally symmetrical and has a rectangular or oval platform with anupturned nose and tail and a concave shape through the middle. Thetrucks are t-shaped axles attached to the underside of the board with aset of wheels fixed to each truck aligned on a common track. In additionto allowing the wheels to spin, the trucks give the boarders the abilityto turn. The shape of the board along with the fixed wheels and trucksallows tricks to be initiated, landed and performed backwards orforwards.

Numerous modifications have been made to conventional freestyle boards.For example, US Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0327547 and U.S.Pat. No. 7,243,925 teach variations on truck assemblies. U.S. Pat. No.7,216,876 teaches a system for powering a skateboard or the like usinghydraulic fluid. US Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0042387teaches a skateboard platform having a gripping aperture that allows auser to lift and transport the skateboard single-handedly. US PatentApplication Publication No. 2011/0148063 teaches a mobile platformassembly with increased rotational movement without the use of a truckassembly. U.S. Pat. No. 7,810,825 teaches a steering and braking systemfor a skateboard. U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,351; GB Patent No. 2,246,076; U.S.Pat. No. 4,202,559; U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,626; U.S. Pat. No. 5,236,208 andU.S. Pat. No. 7,083,178 teach skateboards having rotatable and/orpivotable foot supports for steering the skateboard. U.S. Pat. No.7,338,067 and US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0104551 teach amagnetic binding and foot traction system for use in sports boards.

While each of the foregoing systems provide the user with a specificuser-experience there continues to be a need for a skateboard or otherfreestyle board device that has increased turning ability andmaneuverability to allow a user to perform a greater number of tricks onthe board, while still retaining many aspects of a conventional board.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a rotatablefootplate system for attachment to a sport device having a steeringassembly, the rotatable footplate system comprising a footplate assemblyoperatively connected to the steering assembly, wherein the footplateassembly and steering assembly freely rotate together in a clockwise anda counterclockwise direction from a neutral position with respect to avertical axis of the sport device body when a turning force is appliedto the footplate assembly; and an alignment assembly operativelyconnected to the footplate assembly that automatically returns thefootplate assembly to the neutral position when no turning force isbeing applied to the footplate assembly.

In one embodiment, the rotatable footplate system further comprises alocking mechanism for preventing the footplate assembly from rotating.The locking mechanism is operable between a locked and an unlockedposition based on a user's foot placement on the footplate assembly.

In a further embodiment, the locking mechanism is a magnet operativelyconnected to the footplate assembly and movable between a lockedposition and an unlocked position, wherein placement of a user's shoecontaining metal on the footplate assembly moves the magnet into theunlocked position and disengages the footplate assembly from the sportdevice body, allowing the footplate assembly to freely rotate, andwherein upon removal of the user's shoe the magnet automatically returnsto the locked position. The locking mechanism may further comprise aspring for biasing the magnet in the locked position.

In an alternate embodiment, the locking mechanism includes acompressible spring protruding from the top of the footplate assembly,wherein placement of a user's shoe in the center of the footplateassembly compresses the spring and disengages the footplate assemblyfrom the sport device body, allowing the footplate assembly to freelyrotate, and wherein removal of the user's shoe from the center of thefootplate assembly allows the spring to extend, engaging the footplateassembly with the sport device body and preventing the footplateassembly from rotating.

In a further embodiment, the alignment assembly of the rotatablefootplate system comprises a rotating block operatively connected to thefootplate assembly and rotatable with the footplate assembly; and abiasing means operatively connected to the sport device and biasedagainst the rotating block, wherein the biasing means automaticallyreturns the rotating block and footplate assembly to the neutralposition when no turning force is applied to the footplate assembly. Inone embodiment, there is more than one neutral position and the biasingmeans moves the footplate assembly to a neutral position by the shortestpath. In a further embodiment, the rotating block is an elliptical diskcam having two neutral positions 180 degrees apart, and wherein thebiasing means is at least one spring.

In one embodiment, the biasing means is a spring having a first endpivotably connected to the rotating block at a pivot point and a secondend operatively connected to the sport device, wherein the spring firstend can fully rotate about the pivot point as the pivot point rotateswith the rotating block.

In another embodiment, the alignment assembly comprises at least onerotatable magnet operatively connected to and rotatable with thefootplate assembly; and at least one stationary magnet operativelyconnected to the sport device; wherein the magnetic fields of the atleast one rotatable magnet and the at least one stationary magnet biasthe footplate assembly into the neutral position. The at least onerotatable magnet and the at least one stationary magnet may include aplurality of magnets, creating a plurality of neutral positions for thefootplate assembly.

Preferably, the sport device for the rotatable footplate system is askateboard and the steering assembly is a truck and wheel assembly.

In one embodiment, the footplate assembly further includes a bindingsystem for operative engagement with a user's shoe for applying theturning force to the footplate assembly through the binding system. Thebinding system may include a magnet for providing a magnetic connectionto a user's shoe containing metal to aid the user in applying a turningforce to the footplate assembly through the binding system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described with reference to the accompanying figures inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a skateboard in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the skateboard in accordance with one embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the skateboard in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the skateboard in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the skateboard in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are cross-sectional bottom perspective views of the endsof the skateboard in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are cross-sectional top perspective views of the ends ofthe skateboard in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the skateboard inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9A is a top view of one end of the skateboard with the footplateremoved and the wheels aligned in a normal position in accordance withone embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9B is a top view of one end of the skateboard with the footplateremoved and the wheels aligned 90° to the normal position in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9C is a top view of one end of the skateboard with the footplateremoved and the wheels aligned 45° to the normal position in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a top view of a skateboard in accordance with one embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 11 a top perspective view of the skateboard with one footplateremoved in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the skateboard in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is an end view of the skateboard in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 14A and 14B are cross-sectional perspective views of the end ofthe skateboard in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the end of theskateboard in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 16 is a sketch of a magnetic locking mechanism for a rotatablefootplate truck assembly in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional bottom perspective view of one end of askateboard showing a spring locking mechanism in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional bottom perspective view of one end of askateboard showing a magnetic locking mechanism in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 19A is a sketch of a rotational block and spring alignment systemfor a rotatable footplate truck assembly in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 19B is a sketch of a rotational block and spring alignment systemfor a rotatable footplate truck assembly in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 20 is a sketch of a dual rotational block and spring alignmentsystem for a rotatable footplate truck assembly in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 21 is a sketch of a dual rotational block and spring alignmentsystem fore rotatable footplate truck assembly in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 22 is a sketch of a magnetic alignment system for a rotatablefootplate truck assembly having one equilibrium position in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 23 is a sketch of a magnetic alignment system for a rotatablefootplate truck assembly having two equilibrium positions in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 24 is a sketch of a magnetic alignment system for a rotatablefootplate truck assembly having four equilibrium positions in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 25 is a front view of a skateboard having a conventional truck andwheel assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the figures, a freestyle board sport device in theform of a skateboard 10 is described. The skateboard 10 includes a boarddeck 14, a first and second footplate 34, 36, a first and secondfootplate truck assembly 30, 32 located at either end of the skateboard,and two wheel sets 58 attached to each rotating footplate truckassembly. A user of the skateboard can freely rotate each footplatetruck assembly and wheel set in both clockwise and counterclockwisedirections with respect to a vertical axis of the board deck,independent of the other footplate truck assembly and wheel set.

Skateboard Body

The body of the skateboard comprises the board deck 14, a first andsecond skid plate 16, 17, a cover 18, a first and second underplate 20,22, and a first and second spacer 26, 28. The skateboard is generallysymmetrical and can be ridden with either end facing forward.

Board Deck

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 11, the board deck 14 is generally rectangularshaped with a first and second arcuate end 14 a, 14 d and is sized toallow a user to comfortably place their feet on either end of theskateboard. In FIG. 11 the second footplate is removed to betterillustrate the parts located underneath the footplate. Near the firstarcuate end 14 a of the board deck, there is a first hole (not shown) inthe board deck, and near the second end 14 d there is a second hole 14c. The first and second footplate truck assemblies 30, 32 are insertedthrough the first and second hole. The holes are surrounded by the firstand second skid plates 16, 17 which are ring-shaped and attached to thetop of the board deck 14. The skid plates allow for smooth rotation of afirst and second footplate 34, 36 on top of the board deck.

The board deck is preferably made of high quality plywood or any othersufficiently rigid and strong material such as fiberglass, reinforcedinjection molded plastic, aluminum extrusion or aluminum die-cast, andthe like.

Cover

Referring to FIG. 1, the cover 18 of the skateboard is attached to thetop of the board deck 12 between the first and second footplate truckassemblies 30, 32. The cover is generally concave shaped from itslateral edges 18 a to its center line 18 b to give the user leverage forcontrolling the board and performing tricks. The cover generally is madefrom or coated with a high friction material or substance to allow theuser to better grip the cover surface during use. The cover may be onesolid piece or it may be comprised of two or more pieces, as shown inFIG. 1 as a first cover piece 18 c and second cover piece 18 d.

Underplates

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 6A, the first and second underplate 20, 22 arelocated at either end 14 a, 14 d of the board deck 14 and are generallyround and flat with a hole in the middle through which the truckassembly is inserted through. The first and second spacer 26, 28 areattached to the underside of the board deck at each end, and theunderplates are attached to the underside of the spacers. The spacersare made from a shock-absorbing material to create a smoother ridingskateboard.

Referring to FIGS. 6A and 9C, a retainer 74 is attached to the top sideof the spacer 26, 28 with a plurality of fasteners 74 b. The retainer isgenerally a round flat disc with a whole in the center for retaining thetruck assembly. The retainer acts as a mount for an alignment mechanism,such as a spring 70 and as a running surface for bearings, as describedin greater detail below.

Rotating Footplate Truck Assemblies

The first and second rotating footplate truck assembly 30, 32 includethe moving parts of the skateboard that freely rotate as one unit inboth clockwise and counterclockwise directions with respect to thevertical axis of the skateboard.

Preferably, there is no endpoint to the rotation of the footplate truckassemblies. The rotating footplate truck assemblies are located ateither end 14 a, 14 d of the skateboard. Both rotating footplate truckassemblies are substantially identical and as such any description ofthe first rotating footplate truck assembly 30 is to be understood asapplying to the second rotating footplate truck assembly 32, unlessstated otherwise.

Each rotating footplate truck assembly generally comprises a footplate34, 36, a binding 38 having a magnet 42, an alignment mechanism havingan elliptical disk cam 46, and a wheeled truck assembly 50 having atruck baseplate 52, a truck hanger 54, an axle 56 and wheel set 58. Theentire footplate truck assembly rotates as one unit with respect to theskateboard, and each footplate truck assembly rotates independently ofthe other.

Footplates

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first and second footplates 34, 36 arelocated at either ends of the skateboard. Both footplates are capable offreely rotating in both a clockwise or counterclockwise direction withno endpoint. The user controls the rotation of the footplates via thebinding 38, as described in further detail below.

The footplates are substantially identical, and as such any descriptionof the first footplate 34 is to be understood as applying to the secondfootplate 36, unless stated otherwise. In one embodiment of theinvention, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the footplates are generallyasymmetrical with the outer portion 36 a of the footplate extendingoutward and upward from the board deck and the inner portion 36 b beingangled downward and inward toward the center of the board deck. Thisshape provides the user with a “lip” at the front of the board to usefor leverage for performing tricks on the skateboard, as well asprovides the user a larger standing space in the middle of the board.

Similar to the board deck, the footplates are made of high qualityplywood or any other sufficiently rigid and strong material such asfiberglass, reinforced injection molded plastic, aluminum extrusion oraluminum die-cast, and the like. The outer edge of the footplates may bea soft resilient treaded rubber or similar, and may have compressed airor rubber foam within itself, so to deform and cushion landings on hardsurfaces

Binding

The binding 38 is attached to the top of the footplate 34, 36 andsecures the footplate to the rest of the rotating truck assembly viascrews 38 a or other suitable attachment mechanisms. In one embodiment,the binding has a protruding bar 38 b with a magnet 42 underneath. Themagnet is fastened via magnet fasteners 42 a to the alignment mechanism46. The bottom sole of the user's shoe (not shown) has a metal plate aswell as a slot that fits over the protruding bar of the binding andinterlocks. Being symmetrical, the binding connects to the user's shoein either direction. The slot is preferably magnetic to provide astronger connection between the metal plate in the shoe and the binding,giving the user rotational control of the whole rotating footplate truckassembly. The binding is preferably made from a combination of injectionmolded plastic or polyurethane and metal extrusion or die-cast.

In other embodiments, different mechanisms for interlocking the shoewith the binding are used, such as pegs on the bottom of the shoes thatfit into corresponding holes on the binding. The binding may alsocomprise teeth at the sides of the protruding bar to provide frictionbetween the binding and the user's shoe to keep the shoe from slipping.

In another embodiment, the binding acts as a locking device for thefootplate truck assembly, allowing the footplate truck assembly torotate when the user's shoe is engaged with the binding, and preventingthe footplate truck assembly from rotating when the user's shoe isdisengaged from the binding to prevent the footplate truck assembly fromrotating unintentionally. This provides a safety feature for the user toprevent unintentional rotation of the footplate truck assemblies whenthe board's wheels hit a rock, crack, or other obstacle in the pavement.

A footplate assembly locking mechanism for the skateboard is shown inFIG. 16, wherein the magnet 42 is vertically moveable and connected to afirst end 44 a of a spring 44, which has a second lower end 44 b inoperative connection with the rotating truck assembly. When a user'sshoe having a shoe 92 with a metal plate 90 is placed above the magnet,the magnet is attracted to the metal plate and moves upwards, therebyunlocking the footplate truck assembly and allowing it to freely rotate.When the metal plate is moved away from the magnet, the spring returnsthe magnet to the lower position, thereby locking the footplate truckassembly and preventing it from rotating. Alternatively, no spring isused and the magnet is returned to the lower position via gravity. FIG.18 illustrates this embodiment, where the magnet 42 is shown in theupward unlocked position and a locking arm 40 attached to the footplatetruck assembly 50 is disengaged from the skateboard deck 14. When themagnet 42 moves downward into the locked position, the locking arm 40engages with the skateboard deck at location 14 a, preventing thefootplate truck assembly from rotating.

Alternatively, referring to FIG. 17, the locking and unlocking mechanismincludes a compressible button 94 protruding from the top of thefootplate, with a spring 96 located below the button that is inoperative engagement with the rotating truck assembly. The usercompresses the button with their shoe, compressing the spring anddisengaging a locking arm 40 from a fixed portion 14 a of the boarddeck, thereby unlocking the rotating footplate truck assembly. When theshoe is removed from the button, the spring extends back to its normalposition and the locking arm 40 engages with the board deck, preventingrotation of the footplate truck assembly.

Wheeled Truck Assemblies

Each wheeled truck assembly comprises the truck baseplate 52, the truckhanger 54, the axle 56 and the wheel set 58 which comprises a first andsecond wheel 58 a, 58 b. Preferably, the wheeled truck assembly is aconventional skateboard wheeled truck assembly 50, shown in FIG. 25,that is connected to the skateboard in such a manner that it is able tofreely rotate in both directions with respect to the vertical axis ofthe board. The truck baseplate 52 is operatively connected to thealignment mechanism, which in one embodiment, shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B,is an elliptical disk cam 46. The truck hanger 54 is attached to theunderside of the truck baseplate. The axle 56 runs through the truckhanger and the wheels 58 a, 58 b are attached to either end of the axle.Using a conventional wheeled truck assembly allows a user to maneuverthe skateboard by leaning and steering the conventional way when thewheels are in a neutral position.

Alignment Mechanism

The alignment mechanism is operatively connected to the footplate truckassembly and causes the footplate truck assembly to return to anequilibrium position when no turning force is applied to the footplatetruck assembly. FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C show various angles the footplatetruck assembly and wheels 58 a, 58 b can be positioned at. FIG. 9A showsa neutral or “normal” riding position. FIG. 9C shows a 45° position fromneutral and FIG. 9B shows a 90° position from neutral.

In one embodiment, shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C, the alignment mechanismis an elliptical disk cam 46 and a pair of springs 70. The disk cam islocated underneath the footplate 34, 36 and magnet 42 and secured to thewheeled truck assembly via elliptical disk cam fasteners 46 a. The diskcam rotates with the footplate truck assembly. The springs 70 arepreferably leaf springs that have a free end 70 a abutting the insideedge of the board deck 14 and a fixed end 70 b attached to the insideedge of the board deck. Other suitable biasing means would be known tothose skilled in the art.

The elliptical disk cam 46 and the spring 70 cause the footplate truckassembly to automatically realign in a “neutral position”, shown in FIG.9A, when the user's foot is not applying a force to the binding 38 or isremoved from the binding. That is, as the footplate assembly is rotatedfrom the neutral position by the action of the rider, the major axis ofthe elliptical disk cam is biased against the spring 70 which resiststhe turning force being applied to footplate assembly. If the riderdisengages their foot from the footplate, the spring 70 acts against theelliptical disk cam thereby returning the entire footplate truckassembly, including the footplate, binding, elliptical disk cam andwheeled truck assembly, to the neutral position. Due to the disk cambeing elliptical in shape, the footplate assembly has two equilibriumpoints and will return to the neutral position via the shortest path.That is, if the truck assembly has been rotated to a position more than180 degrees from neutral or an equilibrium point in a clockwisedirection, the shortest path to the neutral position will be furtherrotation in the clockwise direction. However, if truck assembly has beenrotated to a position less than 180 degrees from neutral or aequilibrium point in a clockwise direction, the shortest path to theneutral position will be further counter rotation in thecounter-clockwise direction.

In another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, the alignmentmechanism comprises a rotating block 62 and spring 74, wherein therotating block is connected to and rotates with the footplate truckassembly. A first end 74 a of the spring is attached to the rotatingblock at a pivot point comprising a pin 76, such that the spring firstend pivots with the rotating block, while a second end 74 b of thespring is connected to a non-rotating part of the skateboard, such asthe board deck, and remains stationary. FIGS. 19A and 19B illustrate thespring and rotation block in an equilibrium or neutral position. As thefootplate truck assembly and rotation block pivot away from equilibrium,the spring stretches. When no rotation force is being applied to thefootplate truck assembly, the spring pulls the rotation block andfootplate truck assembly back to the equilibrium position via theshortest path, i.e. in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

Alternatively, the rotation block alignment mechanism uses two or morerotation blocks. Referring to FIG. 20, a first rotation block 73 isattached to the spring 76, while a second rotation block 75 is attachedto the footplate truck assembly. The first and second rotation blocksare positioned side by side and connected like gears in a 1:1 gearratio, such that movement of one rotation block causes the otherrotation block to simultaneously move at the same rate. Alternatively,referring to FIG. 21, the second rotation block 75 is positioned abovethe first rotation block 73, with the pivot pin 78 connecting the tworotation blocks, to which the spring 76 is attached.

In a further embodiment, a magnetic alignment mechanism is used forautomatically aligning the footplate truck assembly. Referring to FIG.22, the alignment mechanism comprises a stationary outer magnetic ring62 attached to the board deck 14, and an inner magnetic ring 64 thatrotates with the footplate truck assembly. FIG. 22 illustrates themagnetic rings in an equilibrium position with the opposing north andsouth poles of the inner and outer rings aligned, which is the positionthe magnetic rings are continually biased toward. Rotating the footplatetruck assembly and inner magnetic ring causes the magnetic rings to moveout of the equilibrium position, however the magnetic fields will causethe inner magnetic ring and footplate truck assembly to return to theequilibrium position when no rotating force is applied to the footplatetruck assembly. Similar to the other embodiments for the alignmentmechanism, the inner ring and footplate truck assembly will return tothe equilibrium position via the shortest path, which may be in aclockwise or counterclockwise direction.

In further embodiments, the magnetic alignment mechanism has more thanone equilibrium position. The number of equilibrium positions is basedon the number of magnetic poles in the inner and outer magnetic rings.FIG. 23 illustrates an embodiment having two equilibrium positions,wherein in equilibrium either of the two north poles 64 a, 64 b of theinner ring 64 align with either of the two south poles 62 a, 62 b of theouter ring 62. This embodiment returns the footplate truck assembly tothe closest equilibrium position, wherein the wheels may be forwardfacing or backward facing. Alternatively. FIG. 24 illustrates a magneticalignment mechanism having four equilibrium positions, wherein the innermagnetic ring 64 and outer magnetic ring 62 each have four north polesand four south poles that can be aligned with one another in anequilibrium position. This embodiment aligns the wheels at one of fourequilibrium positions every 90 degrees such that wheel axis is alignedparallel or perpendicular to the board axis. That is, the wheel positionshown in FIGS. 9A and 9B are both considered equilibrium positions.Having the wheels axis aligned parallel to the board axis, as in FIG.9B, allows the user to perform various tricks that would not be possibleusing a regular skateboard wherein the wheel axis is alignedperpendicular to the board axis.

Bearings

The skateboard comprises several bearings to allow rotation and minimizefriction between the moving and non-moving parts. Referring to FIG. 7B,in the space between the elliptical disk cam 46 and the truck baseplate52, which are the moving parts, and the stationary underplate 20, thereare several bearings. In the preferred embodiment, each end of theskateboard comprises two axle bearings 80, two upper thrust bearings 82,two lower thrust bearings 84, and two bearing seats 86 for supportingthe bearings. Alternate bearing arrangements and types could also beused, as would be known to one skilled in the art.

Operation

In operation, a user can stand on top the skateboard and propel andsteer the skateboard in a conventional manner when the footplate truckassembly is in the locked position. When the user's feet are located ina specific area on the footplate, such as in engagement with thebindings, the footplate truck assemblies unlock and the user can freelyrotate the footplate truck assemblies in either direction by applying arotational force on the footplate and/or bindings. The user cansimultaneously independently rotate each footplate truck assembly. Thisrotational control increases the skateboard's maneuverability and makesit possible for the user to perform many complex slide, grind, flip andwhip rotation and combination tricks that would not be possible on aconventional skateboard. When the user removes their foot from thebindings, the footplate assembly automatically returns to an equilibriumposition via the alignment mechanism, and the footplate assembly thenlocks to prevent the footplate assembly from rotating out of theequilibrium position. As previously described, there may be one or moreequilibrium positions.

Further Embodiments

In further embodiments, other sizes and shapes of footplates may beused. Specifically, in a second embodiment of the invention, as shown inFIGS. 10 to 15, the footplates 34, 36 are symmetrical flat discs. Theouter portions 36 a of the disc-shaped footplates extend away from theboard deck in order to provide the user leverage for performing tricks.

In other embodiments, the footplates may not be identical and onefootplate, particularly the footplate at the rear of the board, may beslightly larger than the front footplate to provide additional leveragefor jumping.

The rotatable footplate truck assembly can be used for other devices,particularly human locomotion devices, such as a scooter that can besteered with rotatable footplates. They can also be modified and usedfor other board sports, such as wakeboards. snowboards or surfboardswhere the rotatable footplates manipulate sections of the board or finsinstead of wheel assemblies.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated withrespect to preferred embodiments and preferred uses thereof, it is notto be so limited since modifications and changes can be made thereinwhich are within the full, intended scope of the invention as understoodby those skilled in the art.

1. A rotatable footplate system for attachment to a sport device havinga steering assembly, the rotatable footplate system comprising: afootplate assembly operatively connected to the steering assembly,wherein the footplate assembly and steering assembly freely rotatetogether in a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction from a neutralposition with respect to a vertical axis of the sport device body when aturning force is applied to the footplate assembly; and an alignmentassembly operatively connected to the footplate assembly thatautomatically returns the footplate assembly to the neutral positionwhen no turning force is being applied to the footplate assembly.
 2. Therotatable footplate system of claim 1 further comprising a lockingmechanism for preventing the footplate assembly from rotating.
 3. Therotatable footplate system of claim 2 wherein the locking mechanism isoperable between a locked and an unlocked position based on a user'sfoot placement on the footplate assembly.
 4. The rotatable footplatesystem of claim 2 wherein the locking mechanism includes a magnetoperatively connected to the footplate assembly and movable between alocked position and an unlocked position, wherein placement of a user'sshoe containing metal on the footplate assembly moves the magnet intothe unlocked position and disengages the footplate assembly from thesport device body, allowing the footplate assembly to freely rotate, andwherein upon removal of the user's shoe the magnet automatically returnsto the locked position.
 5. The rotatable footplate system of claim 4wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a spring for biasing themagnet in the locked position.
 6. The rotatable footplate system ofclaim 2 wherein the locking mechanism includes a compressible springprotruding from the top of the footplate assembly, wherein placement ofa user's shoe in the center of the footplate assembly compresses thespring and disengages the footplate assembly from the sport device body,allowing the footplate assembly to freely rotate, and wherein removal ofthe user's shoe from the center of the footplate assembly allows thespring to extend, engaging the footplate assembly with the sport devicebody and preventing the footplate assembly from rotating.
 7. Therotatable footplate system of claim 1 wherein the alignment assemblycomprises: a rotating block operatively connected to the footplateassembly and rotatable with the footplate assembly; and a biasing meansoperatively connected to the sport device and biased against therotating block, wherein the biasing means automatically returns therotating block and footplate assembly to the neutral position when noturning force is applied to the footplate assembly.
 8. The rotatablefootplate system of claim 7 wherein there is more than one neutralposition and the biasing means moves the footplate assembly to a neutralposition by the shortest path.
 9. The rotatable footplate system ofclaim 7 wherein the rotating block is an elliptical disk cam having twoneutral positions 180 degrees apart, and wherein the biasing means is atleast one spring.
 10. The rotatable footplate system of claim 7 whereinthe biasing means is a spring having a first end pivotably connected tothe rotating block at a pivot point and a second end operativelyconnected to the sport device, wherein the spring first end can fullyrotate about the pivot point as the pivot point rotates with therotating block.
 11. The rotatable footplate system of claim 1 whereinthe alignment assembly comprises at least one rotatable magnetoperatively connected to and rotatable with the footplate assembly; andat least one stationary magnet operatively connected to the sportdevice; wherein the magnetic fields of the at least one rotatable magnetand the at least one stationary magnet bias the footplate assembly intothe neutral position.
 12. The rotatable footplate system of claim 11wherein the at least one rotatable magnet and the at least onestationary magnet include a plurality of magnets, creating a pluralityof neutral positions for the footplate assembly.
 13. The rotatablefootplate system of claim 1 wherein the sport device is a skateboard andthe steering assembly is a truck and wheel assembly.
 14. The rotatablefootplate system of claim 1 wherein the footplate assembly furtherincludes a binding system for operative engagement with a user's shoefor applying the turning force to the footplate assembly through thebinding system.
 15. The rotatable footplate system of claim 14 whereinthe binding system includes a magnet for providing a magnetic connectionto a user's shoe containing metal to aid the user in applying a turningforce to the footplate assembly through the binding system.
 16. Therotatable footplate system of claim 1 further comprising: a lockingmechanism including a magnet operatively connected to the footplateassembly and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position,wherein placement of a user's shoe containing metal on the footplateassembly moves the magnet into the unlocked position and disengages thefootplate assembly from the sport device body, allowing the footplateassembly to freely rotate, and wherein upon removal of the user's shoethe magnet automatically returns to the locked position; and wherein thealignment assembly comprises: a rotating block operatively connected tothe footplate assembly and rotatable with the footplate assembly; and abiasing means operatively connected to the sport device and biasedagainst the rotating block, wherein the biasing means automaticallyreturns the rotating block and footplate assembly to the neutralposition when no turning force is applied to the footplate assembly. 17.The rotatable footplate system of claim 1 further comprising: a lockingmechanism including a magnet operatively connected to the footplateassembly and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position,wherein placement of a user's shoe containing metal on the footplateassembly moves the magnet into the unlocked position and disengages thefootplate assembly from the sport device body, allowing the footplateassembly to freely rotate, and wherein upon removal of the user's shoethe magnet automatically returns to the locked position; and wherein thealignment assembly comprises at least one rotatable magnet operativelyconnected to and rotatable with the footplate assembly; and at least onestationary magnet operatively connected to the sport device; wherein themagnetic fields of the at least one rotatable magnet and the at leastone stationary magnet bias the footplate assembly into the neutralposition.
 18. The rotatable footplate system of claim 1 furthercomprising: a locking mechanism including a compressible springprotruding from the top of the footplate assembly, wherein placement ofa user's shoe in the center of the footplate assembly compresses thespring and disengages the footplate assembly from the sport device body,allowing the footplate assembly to freely rotate, and wherein removal ofthe user's shoe from the center of the footplate assembly allows thespring to extend, engaging the footplate assembly with the sport devicebody and preventing the footplate assembly from rotating; and whereinthe alignment assembly comprises: a rotating block operatively connectedto the footplate assembly and rotatable with the footplate assembly; anda biasing means operatively connected to the sport device and biasedagainst the rotating block, wherein the biasing means automaticallyreturns the rotating block and footplate assembly to the neutralposition when no turning force is applied to the footplate assembly. 19.The rotatable footplate system of claim 1 further comprising: a lockingmechanism including a compressible spring protruding from the top of thefootplate assembly, wherein placement of a user's shoe in the center ofthe footplate assembly compresses the spring and disengages thefootplate assembly from the sport device body, allowing the footplateassembly to freely rotate, and wherein removal of the user's shoe fromthe center of the footplate assembly allows the spring to extend,engaging the footplate assembly with the sport device body andpreventing the footplate assembly from rotating; and wherein thealignment assembly comprises at least one rotatable magnet operativelyconnected to and rotatable with the footplate assembly; and at least onestationary magnet operatively connected to the sport device; wherein themagnetic fields of the at least one rotatable magnet and the at leastone stationary magnet bias the footplate assembly into the neutralposition.